Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Hey there entrepreneur! Did you just open up your doors? Are you a newbie to the online world? Or are you a new veteran that has been beat up and abused by the industry? It doesn't matter what stage you are in your business. You are still vulnerable to Weapons of Mass Distractions (WMD's).

What are Weapons of Mass Distractions? They could be anything that take you away from achieving business success. The main culprits are your family, friends, shiny objects, not having a goal, failure to have a business plan, lack of capital, excuses, fear of competition, and the path of least resistance. They can destroy your business and having you applying for a greeter at Walmart.

Let's identify 9.5 WMD's and develop a prevention plan. Be prepared when these weapons show up.

1. Lack of a Plan: Sadly most people don't have a plan. No business plan, no financial plan, and no marketing plan. They just sign up because someone said they can make money. Poor planning equals horrible execution. Worst yet these people don't have a specific money goal. Making some money is not a goal. Be clear and specific on your income goals. Set yearly goals ad then figure out how much per month and per day you need to make to hit that goal.

Why do people fail at making a plan? Because it takes work. It takes time. Some people fear that they chose the wrong business so they put blinders on. People do not like to admit that they made a bad choice. So they just muddle along until they quit.

You need a plan. A written plan reveals if you are in the right business. A written plan helps map out the monthly expenses, marketing budget, the people, and systems use. A clear written plan determines your "Why" and is a clear path to your goals. Your plan is a deterrent to WMD's.

2. Shiny Object Syndrome (SOS): A written plan will save you from this distraction. This is one of the most deadliest. S.O.S. promises you a path of least resistance, instant riches, and minimum work involve. Push button success. This will leave you broke and frustrated. This WMD comes from all directions. Your mentor, affiliates, Guru's, and marketing. The entry level into your mind seems endless.

The deterrent here is F.O.C.U.S. Follow One Course Until Successful. This is where the newbie can get trapped. Every product launch seems promising. But perusing these false hopes leads them further away from their goal. Veterans get caught too because they are tired of not making money.

Vaccinate yourself now from S.O.S. You will not reach your goals chasing every new thing. You can't finish if you keep starting over. Look at every successful entrepreneur. They master one niche and then expand. Lebron James mastered basketball first. Now he racks in millions from endorsements because he mastered one thing.

3. Daily Method of Operation: In your business plan you should write down a schedule. WMD's love to attack a business with no set hours. You will get distracted by your friends, family, tv, and that UPS guy.

Having a fulltime job is not an excuse. You became an entrepreneur so act like one. Set a schedule! Look at every business around you. The have business hours. Stores open and close. Run your home business the same way. Make a Daily Method of Operation now.

4. Income Producing Activities: What are IPA's? Income producing activates are the things that produce income. Cleaning your desk is not an income producing activity. Filing papers is not an income producing activity. Generating sales should consume most of your time. Marketing, generating leads, producing content, are IPA's. Spend 70% of your time doing this. Distractions will have you work all day without making sales.

5. Family and Friends: This is the most difficult. Especially if you work from home. Your family and friends don't think you have a "JOB" because you are always at home. Funny thing is if you have a job they will never bother you.

You will get calls to pick stuff up. Someone needs to vent. Why? Well they are "really" working and you are just hanging out. The lack of respect is appalling. People will repeatedly interrupt you. They think you have all this free time. This is where you set some ground rules. This starts with your plan, setting business hours, and telling people to stop bothering you while you build your empire.

6. Your Spouse and Partner: The is the emotional WMD. Your significant other needs to be enrolled into your dream. This is difficult if you have a history of quitting. Partners are fine until the bills aren't paid, food is low, and the debt is piling up.

Again back to the written plan. If they can feel, touch, and read your dream they are more likely to go along with it. Do they know where you want to go? Do they know your income goals? How long is the sacrifice? Do they have a part to play in the business? If they can read it they can believe it.

7. Lack of Funds: This WMD makes you procrastinate. Money is tight and you have to make that next auto-ship payment, affiliate fee, or invest in marketing. Being broke is a distraction. Lack of funds leads people to stop taking action. You need action to make sales.

Create a business budget. There are plenty of books that can teach you cash flow management. Begin with a 90-day budget. It shocks me when newbies are surprised that it cost money to run a business. No business in the world is free.

8. Competition: Don't worry about the competition. Compete with yourself. Unlike sports in the world of business you can succeed without being #1. Avis had a whole marketing campaign about being #2. They still make millions of dollars.

9. No marketing plan: Distractions from the WMD comes from all off the different marketing strategies you can carry out. Marketing is the life-blood of your business and you need to master a skill. Pick 1-3 marketing techniques that fit your strengths and talents.

9.5 You: Hey get out your own way. Implement all of these deterrents and prevent WMD's from entering your business. You are the only person that can propel you forward. But it's You who can also sabotage your business.

I wrote this article to help You help You avoid Weapons of Mass Distractions.

Charles Fitzgerald Butler, is an entrepreneur and expert in internet marketing. Charles has a passion for helping people start and run successful home businesses. You can partner with Charles and start building multiply income streams from your home. Charles' goal is to help all who partner with him achieve cash flow and profits from their business.

Marketing, leadership, and a business blueprint are essential in your success. Get Your Business Success System Here: Join Now

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Today's technology makes it easy for mothers all over the globe. No matter what your skills or interests, you can be guaranteed to find a work at home opportunity that will meet your own personal needs. However, this does not guarantee easy money. Mothers that choose to work at home will find ample opportunities, but it will take a lot of dedication and stubbornness to make it work for them. The following are some tips for moms working from home online:

Treat Your Work at Home Like a Real Job
The most common reason for failure in work from home opportunities is it is often not treated like a real job. An outside job requires you to work certain hours and actually work for the full shift. Temptations and distractions can easily get out of hand when working at home. You must treat your opportunity like a real job or you will end up on the list of failed entrepreneurs. This may mean enlisting the help of a nanny or working only when the children have gone to bed.

Understand You Can't Do It All
Many work from home mothers dream of doing it all. Spending time with family in a perfectly kept home and bringing in a sizable income at the same time. You must let go of the idea that this is going to happen for you. If you are serious about making money online, you must realize that something is going to have to give. The dishes may not get done, but as long as the children are happy and your work is done, you should be satisfied.

Invest in Tools to Increase Your Income
You must also be willing to invest your time and money into tools that will actually help you increase your income. Technological advances make it possible for you to automatically email leads collected from your website. There is software available that make tracking your finances quickly and efficiently. You can even purchase software that will help you to create your own apps. The key is to know which ones will help you grow your business.

Take Advantage of Social Sites
Social sites, like Facebook, are filled with other moms, just like you, who want to work and stay at home with their children. Making connections with them can give you a chance to bounce ideas on what works and doesn't work. It can also give you the chance to share your own opportunity to with others who want the same things that you do.

Moms working from home online are not a rare occurrence. Millions of mothers are searching every day for a work at home opportunity that is going to allow them the privilege of staying at home with their children while still bringing in an income. If you are one of these moms, you must take your search seriously. It could just be the best change you ever make and may let you lead the lifestyle you have always dreamed about.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Grants are given every year for a variety of reasons, from small business start-ups, continuing education, preserving historic monuments, to art. Business grants are usually given to applicants that have a solid business plan, and the more detailed the reports are, the better chance of getting the grant.

When starting up your own small business, the first priority would be to find start-up capital. The best capital to get is the small business grants such as free grants that you never have to pay back, or other types of grants that are more like loans and require repayment with interest.

New business owners and existing business owners are eligible to apply for business grants. There is a wide array of Federal business grants available such as Free Government Money for Minorities, Free Government Money for Women, and Obtain Free Government Money for equipment, rent, offices, expenses and overhead

There are numerous sources to find the best business grants:

* The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance is a major provider of business grant money.

* The Federal Register is another good source to help you keep current with the continually changing federal grants offered.

* FedBizOpps is another great resource, as all federal agencies must use FedBizOpps to notify the public about contract opportunities worth over $25,000.

* The U.S. Government's Grants has its own website where you can find, obtain information and apply for many of the grants that are available.

* Government's Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) provides a listing of Government grants and other types of assistance that you can receive.

Federal law mandates that government agencies and private foundations give away over 1 trillion dollars to individuals and businesses. Foundations are required by law to distribute 5 percent of their market value assets or interest income annually, whichever of these amounts is greater, or risk losing their tax-exempt status.

The incentive for giving away grants is great. First, elected officials seeking reelection give away billions in government cash so that people vote for them; second, big corporations save a lot of money in taxes by giving money to foundations.

Another option when starting your business would be to apply for private grants from foundations and corporations. Foundations award grants to businesses that are able to help the foundation reach its long-term goals. In the United States there are more than 65,000 private grant foundations which award more than $20 billion to applicants. Two good resources for private grants are the Foundation Center and the Council on Foundations.

For more on Business Grants [http://www.small-business-grants-resource.info/sitemap.htm] visit Small Business Grants [http://www.small-business-grants-resource.info]. Susan also enjoys writing at Health and Fitness [http://www.health-and-fitness-hub.info].

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Ask anyone who has worked government contracts in the past and most contractors will agree that it takes time and effort to land your first contract. This can be a tough pill to swallow for a lot of small businesses who need to start making money now. While there is no magic bullet to guarantee success at government contracting, there are a few things small business owners can do to increase their odds.

Don't Spread Yourself Too Thin

One major mistakes business owners make when trying to court the government is making themselves out to be a jack of all trades, thinking that the more goods and services they can offer, the more likely they are to find a contract to work. Unfortunately, this can actually DECREASE your chances at winning a contract. The government generally has very specific needs and is more likely to seek out companies that focus on the specific line of work they're looking for. So if you're an experienced electrician, you do yourself a disservice thinking you'll get more work if you also push your limited experience in plumbing, landscaping and painting. Focus on your primary skill sets or products instead of trying to be a one-stop shop.

Are you Certified for Set-Asides?

Don't overlook any set-asides your business may qualify for. It pays to educate yourself about the various certifications and programs you can take part in to make your business more favorable to government buyers. Is your business minority or women owned? What about veteran owned? Do you qualify for the 8(a) or HUBZone program? In some cases, qualifying for these set aside statuses can mean little or even no competition for certain government contracts. To find out what the specific requirements are for each program and what is needed to certify for each, check out the SBA's Small Business Certifications & Audiences page.

Check Subcontracting Opportunities

If you are having trouble securing a prime contract, why not check out subcontracting opportunities for your business? Especially for companies that are new to government contracting, this can be a great way to get your feet wet, gain some experience and build relationships with both government agencies and other businesses. Prime contractors who have contracts exceeding $500,000 (or $1,000,000 for construction of a public facility) are required by law to offer subcontracting opportunities to small businesses. To find such subcontracting opportunities check out the GSA's Subcontracting Directory and the SBA's SUB-Net page.

Use your Resources

There are many resources available to vendors to help them secure government contracts. Small business owners would be wise to get in touch with their local SBA office to take advantage of their many counseling, training and educational services. Another great resource is your local PTAC (Procurement Technical Assistance Centers) office. They offer a wealth of information and services to businesses interested in contracting with the government, most free of charge. These include helping you determine if you qualify for set-asides, networking and matchmaking events, notification of bid opportunities and proposal preparation assistance. Business owners would also be wise to prepare a listing on the SBA's DSBS (Dynamic Small Business Search) and check out past contracts awarded through the FPDS (Federal Procurement Data System). For those interested in $25,000+ contracts, don't forget to register on FedBizOpps.com to view and bid on these contracts.

Marketing, marketing, marketing...

Securing a government contract takes a lot of work, and a good portion of that may include marketing your business to procurement officers. This is an often neglected step, overlooked by business owners who think once they've registered in CCR and ORCA the contract offers will just come rolling in on their own. Few things in business work this way. It is very important that you build relationships with the government agencies in your region and even with other businesses. Attend networking and matchmaking seminars, small business and government workshops, and reach out one-on-one to procurement officers in your area. It will take some time, research and work, but the results will be well worth it.

Of course, don't overlook the basic requirements to work government contracts, such as properly completing CCR and ORCA registration. Ultimately, being successful in government contracting comes down to being patient and persistent. Few businesses are overnight successes and many report that it took anywhere from 12-18 months before they secured their first contract. However, by following these suggestions and taking a proactive approach you can increase your chances of success.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Once my company was finally on the GSA MOBIS Schedule, the next step was marketing.

First, we needed a mailing list. The marketing company I hired gave me a list of 100's of government contracts to sift through to identify: (1) the contracts relevant to my services, (2) the government agencies that purchased those services; and (3) the names and phone numbers of the purchasing agents for those agencies.

My next task was to create a marketing letter that introduced my company. The first paragraph described my company and explained thatwe were interested in doing business with the agency.

It briefly described our services in general terms and then requested the recipient to please add our business name to their agency's mailing list to receive bid and non-bid opportunities under Federal Supply Categories. These were listed by schedule and sin number in MOBIS as well as by NAICS codes.

It went on to say:"We are registered with CCR/ORCA/SAM/ and Pro-Net. We are interested in both small and large purchase opportunities. Please send your agency's Fiscal Year 2014 forecast or Long Range Acquisition Plan. We understand that this information may be viewed online; however, we would prefer to keep a hard copy for our reference.

In addition, please send any hard copy publications you may have about doing business with your agency. Also, please forward the telephone number, address and email address for any buyers or contracting officials who may have the need for our services."

The letter concluded with the statement that I would follow up with the recipient within two weeks, provided contact information if there were any questions, and thanked the recipient for "your time and assistance in this matter."

Anyone who opened the letter and did not respond by asking to be removed from the mailing list was considered fair game. There were 90 in that list, and not one of them replied with any of the information I had requested.

I was tasked with calling each of them. Which I did. Yes, the person who had shied away from even doing warm calling for the past twenty-five years actually made all of these cold calls. Most people were very gracious. Each one explained that the best way to get work with their agency was to watch federal postings and respond to the Requests for Proposals.

So that is what I have done. I have spent hours responding to requests for proposals with absolutely no success. This has included estimating total travel costs without knowing when the training would occur and how that would affect transportation and lodging.

I have had absolutely no success. Why? The answer is very simple. I'll tell you in my article: A GSA Schedule Cautionary Tale.

Deborah Spring Laurel is the President of Laurel and Associates, Ltd., a certified woman-owned small business that builds and strengthens managerial, employee development and technical skills through the design and delivery of participatory classroom training on a national and international basis. If you would like your participants to leave training with practical skills that they can use immediately, or you would like your trainers to facilitate quality programs that effectively achieve their learning goals, contact Deborah at http://www.laurelandassociates.com or contact Deborah directly at (608) 255-2010 or dlaurel@laurelandassociates.com. To see over 540 training tips, go to her blog at http://laurelandassociates.blogspot.com.

Saturday, December 13, 2014

A successful organization depends on Information Technology (IT) at every phase of its operation, from basic bookkeeping to customer relations. Whether you are running a small business, a large corporation, or something in between, the quality of your IT support is critical to your performance. It is important to make the right decision when choosing an IT support service.

Here are three things to look for in an IT support service:

Competence

The number one criterion for deciding upon which company to enlist to help with your technology is competence. How good is the technical team in diagnosing problems as they arise? Does the service work proactively to foresee and prevent IT problems before they arise? What is their track record in assisting small to medium size businesses in keeping their computers, networks, and other critical technology running smoothly?

The best way to assess the competence of an IT support company is through the appraisals of their clients. Positive feedback from current and previous clients is good sign they are filling technical support needs of those organizations. A competent IT support service will be able to supply client testimonials in person or on their website.

Diligence

Here are some of the services a diligent IT support service will offer:

Quick response times - When your technology is in need of repair, long delays can cripple your business. The best IT support service companies will respond immediately to your critical IT needs.

24/7 network security monitoring - Hackers and other intruders don't operate only during business hour. Good network security is a round-the-clock necessity.

Asset and inventory tracking - There are so many facets to keep track of in a business that efficient digital management is a requirement for any organization.

Network performance reports - The continuing assessment of your network performance can only be gauged with accurate reports.

Flexibility

Every organization is unique, bringing with it its own problems, challenges, and needs, and an IT support service needs to be flexible in the way it serves each business. Pricing should be tailored based upon your particular business type, the size of your business, the nature of your hardware and software, and your budget. A flexible IT support service will offer a variety of support options, including straight hourly service, prepaid, discounted blocks of service hours, and different levels of monthly service packages. Support methods need to be flexible, also. Phone, remote, and on-site support should be available as needed. Finding an IT support service that is competent, diligent, and flexible can make the difference for a business, keeping it running smoothly and serving its customers efficiently.

If you are the owner or manager of a small to medium size business, finding the right IT support company is a smart business strategy. For those looking for IT support, InHouse Techies offers several customizable levels of support, depending on the needs of your business.

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

If you run a small business what is the first impression that you create for your customers? What is their initial experience of your business, how professional do you appear? A first impression may not even include any personal interaction with you.

For example, what is your out-of-hours customer experience like? Potential customers may not know your opening hours, may call in person or on your landline and expect to find details of your website, your mobile phone number, be able to leave a voice mail. Is the first impression your business gives positive and professional or does it turn people away?

Practice being your own customer, put the boot on the other foot and check out your own first impression of your business. What first impression does your business give?

I work from home, see my clients there and regularly stop outside upon my return home to double-check how the front of my house looks, the first impression I get as I pull up outside. I want to reaffirm that it's still okay to invite customers there, that the neighbourhood is smart, tidy and looks acceptable to the type of customers I want to attract. Does the garden look tidy and welcoming, are the windows clean; all important, subtle things that clients will pick up on, often without realising.

When I walk through the front door I'll usually pause to take in the first impression the room presents, how it looks, smells, feels. These things are all important, especially to a first time customer or client. Do clients or their companions have somewhere to sit and wait if necessary and is that place comfortable?

I recently called at the advertised shop premises of a driveway laying business. I was considering spending quite a lot of money on a new driveway and wanted to see examples of their work, the different options available for colours and styles, but every time I called their shop was closed. I tried at different times, all within the usual office hours. Daytime, Saturday afternoon; the business was styled as a shop but had no receptionist or staff present and no information explaining why. It was an exasperating experience which conveyed a rather indifferent attitude towards potential new business.

They could argue that they're saving on overheads, are able to offer a more economical service as a consequence but when a new customer is trying to make contact it's important that they're able to do so. Why have a shop in the middle of a row of shops if it's unmanned? What first impression does that create?

Competition is fierce in the world of business and as a small business or sole trader it's important to offer that special something extra to customers and clients. Yes, pricing is always going to be an important consideration but it's by no means the only one.

Quality customer service, professionalism and reliability are often almost more important than the price and can certainly put you ahead of the competition. Creating a good first impression helps you to get your foot through the door and reinforces potential customers belief in your ability to deliver well on your promises.

A good first impression helps you to look professional, conveys the message that you take a pride in your work and in your reputation and that your business is important to you.

Susan Leigh is a Counsellor and Hypnotherapist who works with stressed individuals to promote confidence and self belief, with couples experiencing relationship difficulties to improve communications and understanding and with business clients to support the health and motivation levels of individuals and teams.

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Technology is changing rapidly, and small businesses are enjoying access to better software at more affordable prices. Below are just a few of the many ways that today's technology is supporting small businesses.

Software as a Service

Remember when it used to cost thousands of dollars for business software plus expensive licenses for each user? New software investments also often meant investing in new hardware capable of supporting that software. None of this came cheap, making it hard for business owner to keep up with larger ones with deeper pockets. Today, powerful software is readily available in the cloud "as a service." Rather than paying huge amounts up front, Software as a Service costs are typically spread out and billed on a much lower per month basis.

What types of software can you get as a service? Here are a few popular types of SaaS offerings:

Cloud-based software is accessible via a Web browser, making investments in hardware virtually unheard of. Cloud service providers take care of all maintenance and upgrades, freeing small business owners from having to figure this out on their own or hire an IT tech to do it for them.

"As a service" solutions also grow with your small business. You can start out with just a few licenses and then add more (or remove) users as your needs change.

Data Archiving

It's not just software that now resides in the cloud. Document storage has also moved to the "as a service" model. For example, you're likely familiar with Dropbox, Box, and Google Drive. A recent innovation in this space has to do with data retention and archiving.

According to Dolphin, SAP Cloud Computing Solutions such as Content Archive Service for Cloud allows small business users to archive data and documents in the cloud for transparent "anytime, anywhere" access (Source: Dolphin, Cloud Storage for SAP Archived Data and Documents). Dolphin's Content Archive Service for Cloud is a Storage as a Service solution that connects to major public cloud providers like Google Cloud and Amazon S3. Cloud storage allows for cost alignments between SAP storage and the value of your data. For example, data you frequently use can be placed on high performance storage devices whereas data you need to archive but not necessarily access regularly can be placed in a lower-cost cloud storage service -- at significant savings.

Merchant Services

Cloud-based credit card processing solutions allow small business users to ditch the traditional credit card processing terminal and process transactions online -- or even on a smartphone with a small card reader attachment. Not only that, many cloud-based merchant services can be integrated directly within other applications such as billing software or an e-commerce store (Source: Accounting Today, Understanding How Technology Supports Small Business Success).

Small businesses now have access to the same enterprise-level applications their larger counterparts use, but without the need for huge upfront expenses. From Software as a Service to data archiving, merchant services, and beyond, cloud-based technologies are changing how businesses operate.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

As we appear to be living in a period of uncertainty with regards to the economy, employment and European community membership etc., the emphasis is on businesses to generate jobs, wealth and prosperity which is fine although I fail to see how new business ventures are supposed to get started.

We need people to start businesses otherwise there are no employment prospects for tomorrow - we can't just rely on the enterprises existing today. The problem is that if somebody wants to start up and as in most cases has limited funds to pour into their ventures where do they start?

The first thing most will need is a business home - somewhere to trade from and this is where the first obstacle becomes evident. If you're living in rented accommodation more often than not you aren't allowed to use the address for business purposes - this is the case for private landlords as well as council properties - so you need to get business premises which often means a lease or at least longer term commitment. Without a business track record that won't be easy, you'll also need to pay in many instances money 'up front' as a token of goodwill.

Banks despite their advertising campaigns are not very enthusiastic when it comes to new businesses, so money is tight - if possible at all. This leaves our potential job creators of tomorrow with very few options - we're not exactly encouraging them are we? If we're going to encourage people to start businesses, which appears to be inevitable, then it's got to be made easier. I'm not suggesting for a second that running a business is easy, but does the journey have to be quite so obstacle ridden?

With the failings of many 'big businesses' and with public sector jobs being discarded the only option for many will be to run their own enterprise, perhaps not out of choice, but need. Self employment in all its forms can be very rewarding financially and satisfying - although rarely 'plain sailing' - there is much to learn and in the majority of cases a new mind-set to be adopted.

Having been self-employed for 20 years I do understand the pitfalls, and that leads me to the conclusion we're just not helping tomorrow's creators today. This is a massive shame and very short sighted; people who have a 20/30/40 year working life in front of them need a 'leg up' now to start creating the prosperity and opportunities for tomorrow - after all us 40 plus folk will be reliant on the next generation soon, let's make sure they've got a chance.